GRE Lined OCTG as a Cost-Effective Solution for Water Disposal Wells
Abstract Glass Reinforced Epoxy (GRE), lining systems for API 5CT tubing have gained prominence in O&G industry, essentially due to the fact that GRE constitutes a physical barrier protecting the OCTG pipe from corrosive environment, and minimizing issues with scale deposition. ADNOC group companies have been building experience on the implementation of GRE Lined L-80 tubing by successfully using it in produced water disposal wells. Produced water is a highly corrosive medium due to dissolved CO2, H2S high to very high chloride content, high TDS, eventually containing bacteria. The corrosiveness of the fluid increases as the temperature increase from temperatures in the range of 30 – 50 degC at surface to reservoir temperature. The aggressiveness of this medium towards API 5CT L-80 or 13Cr / modified 13Cr increases with its contamination with oxygen. Dissolved oxygen is a strong depolarizer leading to high pitting rates if dissolved O2 content in the water is above 10 or 20ppb. Conventional completion of WDW in ADNOC Onshore is based on API 5CT L-80, and short life of the completion strings has been attributed to deficient water treatment (lack of oxygen scavenger, corrosion inhibitor unsuitable for downhole conditions. A life cycle cost analysis suggests that GRE lined OCTG could be a cost-effective solution for water injection. For this life cycle cost assessment, CAPEX (cost of L-80 completion string, combo corrosion inhibitor & oxygen scavenger skid and OPEX: cost of Combo chemical and monitoring activities for design life were considered, while achieving the required level of well integrity and lower operational safety risks (e.g. handling hazardous chemicals, monitoring activities)